I think I have flat worms :(

[DiverGirl82]

Are these flat worms? If so how bad is it and how do I get rid of them? I counted 5 but 3 of them are tiny so I'm thinking they're babies which I'm guessing means there's probably more. On the up side though I also saw a bunch of teeny pods. Yay!

 

[twilliard]

Ohh yes that is red planaria

But ohh do i have a cure!

 

[Oscaror]

yeah, those are flatworms. [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] to the rescue?
nvm twillard got here first

 

[twilliard]

I love flatworm!
They are my foundation of most all my work

 

[twilliard]

Darn double post!

 

[DiverGirl82]

Ohh yes that is red planaria

But ohh do i have a cure!

So glad to hear that. I was having a bit of a bad evening at work then come home and see that. So those are the best words I've heard/seen tonight. the part about the cure I mean.

 

[Humblefish]

Flatworm Exit works most of the time, but you usually have to do multiple rounds to eradicate "newborns" from any eggs left behind. Or a melanurus wrasse is a natural predator. So is a sixline but you might regret putting one of those little monsters in your tank. There are probably other wrasses good at eliminating flatworms as well.

 

[DiverGirl82]

Flatworm Exit works most of the time, but you usually have to do multiple rounds to eradicate "newborns" from any eggs left behind. Or a melanurus wrasse is a natural predator. So is a sixline but you might regret putting one of those little monsters in your tank. There are probably other wrasses good at eliminates flatworms as well.

Is the flatworm exit safe for my other inhabitants? Corals, inverts and fish? I'm going out of town in a couple months so I hadn't planned on getting anymore fish till I get back because I don't want to have to cut quarantine short.

 

[twilliard]

Flatworm Exit works most of the time, but you usually have to do multiple rounds to eradicate "newborns" from any eggs left behind. Or a melanurus wrasse is a natural predator. So is a sixline but you might regret putting one of those little monsters in your tank. There are probably other wrasses good at eliminates flatworms as well.

So true! FWE needs to be implemented right the first time or planaria will just laugh at you.
I still have a box of it growing dust lol
Want to know one thing that will kill them faster than that? Peroxide
But my treatment goal is not to kill them but rather stun them for capture and removal before dying and releasing toxin.

 

[DiverGirl82]

I do eventually want to get a McKosker's flasher wrasse but I was planning on that being my last fish added.

 

[DiverGirl82]

So true! FWE needs to be implemented right the first time or planaria will just laugh at you.
I still have a box of it growing dust lol
Want to know one thing that will kill them faster than that? Peroxide
But my treatment goal is not to kill them but rather stun them for capture and removal before dying and releasing toxin.

You mean just regular peroxide from the drug store? And it's safe for all my critters?

 

[Humblefish]

Is the flatworm exit safe for my other inhabitants? Corals, inverts and fish? I'm going out of town in a couple months so I hadn't planned on getting anymore fish till I get back because I don't want to have to cut quarantine short.

Yes, but after about an hour you need to run some carbon in a media reactor to remove the toxins being released by the dying flatworms. Failure to do this is what causes livestock loss after using FWE in some cases.

I also suggest the day you are going to use FWE to leave all the lights off and shine a bright light on a focused area of your tank (like a flood lamp.) After a few hours, most of the flatworms will congregate in this spot and you can suck them out using airline tubing. This means the dying ones will be fewer (and less toxins released) once you dose your tank with the chemical.

 

[twilliard]

Peroxide is absolutely safe for all your inhabitants. Yes 3% peroxide from the drug store.
If you want to test this it is easy.
Get a clear dixy cup and fill it half way with tank water.
Grab that turkey baster and suck up a few of them keeping it swirled (they will attach to the baster)
Put them in the dixy cup.
Now add 10 drops of peroxide and you will see the magic

 

[DiverGirl82]

Peroxide is absolutely safe for all your inhabitants. Yes 3% peroxide from the drug store.
If you want to test this it is easy.
Get a clear dixy cup and fill it half way with tank water.
Grab that turkey baster and suck up a few of them keeping it swirled (they will attach to the baster)
Put them in the dixy cup.
Now add 10 drops of peroxide and you will see the magic

Oh, a science project. Fun

 

[twilliard]

Oh, a science project. Fun

Yes well this is what i do. I find reef safe solutions

 

[Brian Kim]

Flatworm Exit works most of the time, but you usually have to do multiple rounds to eradicate "newborns" from any eggs left behind. Or a melanurus wrasse is a natural predator. So is a sixline but you might regret putting one of those little monsters in your tank. There are probably other wrasses good at eliminating flatworms as well.

Just curious, why are 6 line wrasse considered a monster? lol
I always had them and never have seen aggressive behavior

 

[DiverGirl82]

Yes well this is what i do. I find reef safe solutions

I can't tell if I got the worms along with all the sand I sucked up. How does it work in the tank? How much do I put in and then do I need to run the carbon after? I don't have a media reactor.

 

[twilliard]

I can't tell if I got the worms along with all the sand I sucked up. How does it work in the tank? How much do I put in and then do I need to run the carbon after? I don't have a media reactor.

The first thing to do is to catch one and add peroxide in the cup.
This will show how resistant they are to peroxide.
From there I calculate a dose based on total tank volume.
There is more involved but the first thing to do is find their tolerance

 

[DiverGirl82]

The first thing to do is to catch one and add peroxide in the cup.
This will show how resistant they are to peroxide.
From there I calculate a dose based on total tank volume.
There is more involved but the first thing to do is find their tolerance

I think they might have moved down into the sand bed. I may not be able to get one till tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I do. Thank you

 

[Humblefish]

Just curious, why are 6 line wrasse considered a monster? lol
I always had them and never have seen aggressive behavior

I've only had problems with the adults; they often harass any new fish. But I know TONS of people who will not keep them due to aggression issues, even when small.